Many were surprised at the results of the customer satisfaction index because there was a general feeling that the service standard in Singapore is not up to par. At the same time, many felt that 7 out of a possible 10 marks for Singapore was way to high – in fact, more than 50% surveyed said that they would have given only about 5 out of 10 or below.

However, service standards in Singapore has really generally went up – including all the smiles that people get when they go into shops. What really irks Singaporeans is the lack of product knowledge by some staff. Either that, or some will have staff following them like a butler wherever they do in the shop. Generally, with shops like Giordano taking the lead in customer service (back then, Giordano was probably the only non-expensive shop that greats their customers; although some probably felt queasy about it), others will have no choice but to follow suit. Well, not all the time, but at least sometimes.

As it’s a survey, there’s a chance that the sample is not evenly distributed. In addition, the results are probably relative so there’s no need to get too uptight yet. We’ll save it for the time when Singapore really becomes #1 in the index – then it’s time to really look at ourselves. The only thing that may be worrisome is if staff in the service industry will be complacent. Well… you know this thing about complacency and Mas Selamat, don’t you? =)

MANY Singaporeans are surprised that the country has scored nearly seven out of 10 in the first national customer-satisfaction survey, which is being taken as an indicator of service standards here.

Those who took part in a Straits Times straw poll generally conceded that service standards have risen, but said they would give it only a passing grade.

In the poll of 50 locals aged 15 to 69 from all walks of life, 34 said they would award 50 points or below, out of 100.

Among the 50 polled, 42 said nearly seven out of 10 was clearly too high.

Most griped about sales assistants’ lack of product knowledge, even though some had nice things to say about those who went the extra mile.

Accountant Chia Kok Hsiang, 39, for example, was pleasantly surprised to be given two free drinks at a fast-food restaurant last weekend, after he carelessly spilled his own.

He said: ‘The staff there were not at all upset and they were very efficient in helping me clean up my mess.’

The Customer Satisfaction Index, released by the Institute of Service Excellence (ISE) at the Singapore Management University, gave Singapore an overall score of 68.7 out of 100; in parallel polls abroad, the United States scored 75, and South Korea, 72.

The survey here, the results of which were released on Monday, polled over 12,000 people, both Singaporeans and tourists, on the service they received across sectors, from telecommunications to transport.

Respondents had to rate various aspects of their experience – from the way they were served to how complaints were handled – on a scale from 1 to 10.

ISE’s survey, the first one to give a holistic picture of customer satisfaction here, will be conducted annually henceforth.

One common grouse: Service staff here need to be more familiar with what they are selling.

Administrative executive Nooraliza Rahim, 28, said: ‘It is very frustrating when you ask waiters about their menu and they just give you dazed looks. It is as if they are not sincere in serving you at all.’

Bad attitude, ranging from rudeness to lack of initiative, also riled some respondents.

Student Gordan Tan, 23, said he met a rude cabby two months ago who took his family problems out on his passenger, a complete stranger.

Surly shop assistants get the goat of housewife Sheryl Teo, 52: ‘I was in the fitting room a couple of weeks ago, trying on a blouse and I needed help to try on a medium-size one. But the sales assistant just gave me a sour face and ignored me.’

Knight Frank’s director of retail Danny Yeo said such lapses in service are not surprising, given that the industry is plagued by a staff shortage and a high turnover.

The staffing crunch has led businesses – in particular, retail ones – to hire part-timers and school-leavers. With the high turnover, spending on training takes a back seat, since bosses expect their staff to quit soon anyway, said Mr Yeo.

However, some of those surveyed told ST that service standards here were not a lost cause.

Teacher Winston Goh, 46, said: ‘I don’t think service staff even smiled at you in the past. Now, some shops are open to even greeting you and it really makes one feel welcome.’

twong@sph.com.sg

leepq@sph.com.sg

Article obtained from straitstimes.com on 9th April 2008 – 7 more days to closure; simplyjean looking for interested writers